Venter gets 14 week touchline ban

[Broadstaff]

Just a thought - not sure of the answer to this. Shouldn't all top rugby clubs be able to provide first class facilities, above ground level, for the coaching staff to use and not in with the fans? Would never happen in some sports - smacks to me of "amateur" and we like to think we are professional in every way.

where could he sit not amongst the tiger's fans without introducing segregation? you would have to make a home and away section and only allow the coaches there.

Some talk of core values in the press today. Isn't Cockers ranting at the ref, in full view of the TV cameras, close to breaking the core value code?

Cockers received a sentence for admitting he abused a match official earlier this season yet Venter, guilty of a similar offence, received a suspended sentence - where is the equality in that?

Cockerill stated he felt the referee was out of his depth whereas Venter implied the referee has been influenced by not fully answering a question - one stated incompetency outright the other left it open for people to infer he felt the referee had been bribed/coerced

Sorry Tiger- in Birmingham. I was talking about Cockers on Sunday, not earlier in the season.

[SPIKE@srufc]

Is this finished now? Please??

[Bill W (2)]

Is this finished now? Please??

Don't be silly. It will run on and on!

"This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. It is, in fact, only the end of the beginning."

[Kit]

RFU statement:

"The response of the Saracens management to these proceedings has been very disappointing and statements on their website criticising these proceedings do the club no credit."

They also discuss the allegations of pushing a Leicester fan, all in this article.

Suspect the appeal will not go as well as the Sarries hope!

[Bill W (2)]

Seconds away. Round 3.

[Noggs]

Seconds away. Round 3.

Given the RFU statement they would be foolish indeed to try to take this further.

Hope they do and they double the 14 weeks so that it actually has some effect. They may just be arrogant enough to try

[woutster]

Just heard the saffercens chief exec on 5Live quoting parts of Blacketts' judgement but have yet to find it. However this http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKLDE64J2CM20100520 summarises the conversation very well.

I can see more punishments coming soon.

edit: should add that as part of the ban as expected no game-day involvement with the team, Venter is also banned from twickenham stadium.

[Kit]

Apparently Cockers is being investigated now, in the interests of fairness.

[Snorbins]

Yes i saw that when i was down with the workers, in the interests of fairness Venter was not ranting at the ref was he? Where as Cockers was vocal enough to be heard on the radio (buthe always is - at every home match). So 20 weeks rediced to 14.

[Old Hob]

See reference here:
http://www.leicestertigers.com/forum/vi ... =1&t=29745

[Tiger_in_Birmingham]

Where as Cockers was vocal enough to be heard on the radio (buthe always is - at every home match).

If he was heard on the radio then, as much as I hate to say it, he should be punished as he presented his views to the media.

Last time he got 4 week, this time longer but reduced on account of it only being accidentally picked up on the radio mic

[Bill W (2)]

Seconds away. Round 5

[kingol22]

cockerill wasnt arguing with supporters he was just being passionate. no problem with that its when he does it to the refs face or intimidates supporters that a problem will arise. saying that he will probably get slammed with a bigger ban than venters

[Smurphswillgetya]

No Kingol, Cocky will probably only get a 6 week ban but to start at the beginning of next season as this one is over after the final and they will contrive to hold the hearing after the final.

[Kit]

The unoffy has posted the full verdict, and I found this bit particularly interesting:

For the avoidance of doubt, this suspension also prevents him from attending the Twickenham stadium, or its environs, in any capacity on 29 May 2010, the day of the Guinness Premiership final.

Not even allowed in as a spectator?